The West County R-IV School District believes that every individual should have the opportunity to develop his/her intellect to the limits of their capabilities. This development can best be fostered and achieved when the individual is in regular sustained attendance in school.
Research clearly indicates that students who attend school on a regular basis tend to complete their education and become successful citizens.
Absence Defined
A student is considered absent when it is determined that they are not in attendance in one or more of their assigned class periods. A record of the student's attendance is maintained on a class hour basis and is entered into the student's attendance record file in the building principal's office.
Types of Absence
Five types of absence are recorded with regards to a student's attendance. They include the following:
Classification of Absences
Excused Absence -- The first three (3) general absences per semester will be considered excused absence. Absences covered by a funeral excuse, medical excuse, cocurricular or religious observation will be considered excused absences.
Unexcused Absence -- Any general absence recorded, in excess of the three (3) permitted per semester, will be unexcused. Disciplinary absence will be unexcused.
Attendance Policy
In accordance with the expressed belief that regular and sustained attendance in school is essential for the fullest possible development of a student's intellectual abilities, the attendance policy of West County R-IV School District requires that a student be in attendance every day that school is in session, unless a situation arises which meets one of the six types of absence previously described.
The administration and Board of Education realize that situations arise during a semester whereby it is necessary for a student to absent themselves from school; however, these absences must be kept to a minimum number.
The Board of Education has established the policy whereby a student is permitted to miss six (6) days of general absence per semester. This absence will be considered an excused absence and the student will have the right to make up all tests and assignments. All absences in excess of the six (6) general absences per semester will be unexcused unless the student has a medical excuse, funeral excuse, cocurricular or religious observation excuse. Discipline absence and unexcused absence will deny the student the right to make up any work including assignments and tests.
Parents are required to call in between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. on the day their child is out of school to confirm the absence. Parents who do not have a phone or who leave for work early in the morning may send a note, provided a signature card is on file in the office. It is the responsibility of the parent to see that the signature card is completed. If a student brings a note and does not have a signature card or the parent does not call, the absence will be considered unexcused. Signature cards are available at the time of registration or a parent can request one at the office. If a student arrives late for school or arrives after a class period has begun, he/she will be sent to class and be given a tardy. This means anytime within the hour.
Leaving During the School Day
When it becomes necessary that a student leave the school premises after having arrived at school, it is the student's responsibility to do the following:
Report to the building principal's office and obtain permission from school personnel in that office prior to leaving school premises. In the case of accident or injury, the school nurse shall have the authority to grant permission.
Absence on Days of School Activities
In accordance with the rules and regulations of the Missouri State High School Activities Association and the policies of the West County R-IV School District, a student who is absent from school any part of the day of a school-sponsored activity shall not be considered eligible to participate in the activity unless the absence is excused by the building principal, prior to the end of the school day. Absence on the day after a school-sponsored activity will result in discipline to be determined by the sponsor/coach of that activity in question.
Special Condition
If it is necessary for a student to be absent from school for an extended period of time (maximum of 5 days or more) due to a one-time family situation, per school year, the student may be excused with the following provisions:
Make-Up Work Assignments
Research indicates that students learn most through practice and repetition. The amount of time spent on a task is directly related to the learning that takes place. For this reason, homework should be assigned nightly in all subjects where homework is appropriate.
Students who leave early for vacations, etc., will take the grade earned at the time of their departure, minus any work missed unless covered by the one-time exception as stated above.
Students who are confirmed truant, suspended or expelled from school will not be permitted to make up work for credit.
Students who have an excused absence from school will be permitted to make up their regular assignments on a day-to-day basis. Regular assignments are those normally due the next day or within the next few days. Advanced assignments are those which are assigned at least five (5) school days in advance. If a student is absent the period the advanced assignment is due, the assignment will be due at the time the student returns to school. It is clearly the student's responsibility to find out, from the teacher, what he or she missed when absent and make arrangements for turning work in to a teacher.
If a student has an excused absence and misses a major test, it may be made up on the day that the student returns to school, if the student so chooses, or the student may have additional time equal to the time he or she was excused absent from school to make up the test. Alternative forms of the test may be given. However, if a test date was designated by the teacher prior to the absence, and no preparatory work, class discussion or lecture material was missed by the student, he or she will be expected to take the test on the day of return. Short, unannounced "pop" tests of 15 points or less may not be made up if the student is absent. If a student is absent for the quarter or semester exam in a course, permission to make up the exam must be secured from the building principal. In this case, absences will be checked very carefully and a doctor's excuse may be required before the student may make up the exam.
STUDENT ABSENCES AND EXCUSES (High School)
Philosophy
The West St. Francois County R-IV School District believes that every individual should have the opportunity to develop his/her intellect to the limits of his/her capabilities. This development can best be fostered and achieved when the individual is in regular sustained attendance in school.
Research clearly indicates that students who attend school on a regular basis tend to complete their education and become successful citizens.
Absence Defined
A student is considered absent when it is determined that he/she is not in attendance in one or more of his/her assigned class periods. A record of the student's attendance is maintained on a class hour basis and is entered into the student's attendance record file.
Excused Absences
The following absences from school will be automatically waived from the attendance policy providing proper documentation is presented to the school:
In all cases concerning excused absences documentation on missed days must be presented to the office no later than two (2) school days after the dates in question.
Disciplinary Absences
Disciplinary absences will not count against the attendance policy unless the student has refused some other type of disciplinary action and requested out-of-school suspension (OSS). Students will not under any circumstances be allowed to make up work missed while serving their OSS suspension or determined truant from school.
General Absences
A general absence is defined as any absence that does not fall in the category of excused absences and the parents/guardians followed proper procedures in contacting the school concerning the student's absence. The student is allowed to make up missed work under this type of absence. This absence does, however, count toward the attendance policy in regards to absences. .
Parents/Guardians are required to call in between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. on the day their child is out of school to confirm the absence. Parents/Guardians who do not have a phone or who leave for work early in the morning may send a note, provided a signature card is on file in the office. The signature card must be completed at the beginning of each new school. year. It is the responsibility of the parents/guardians to see that the signature card is completed.
If a student brings a note and does not have a signature card or a parent/guardian does not call, it will be considered an unexcused absence.
Unexcused Absences
Unexcused absences fall into the following two (2) categories:
Missed work cannot be made up in the case of unexcused absences.
It is important to note that both unexcused and general absences count toward the possible violation of the attendance policy by the student.
The following steps will be taken by the school district in the handling of unexcused/general absences:
Excessive Absences in a Single Class Period
It is important that students attend each class period throughout the school day to ensure their success in that subject. Each time a student misses a class it takes away from his/her ability to obtain success in that class.
The following policy has been adopted to help ensure that a student's attendance will not be a detriment to his/her success in a particular class:
This policy is for unexcused absences only and the appeals process is the same as for students that are in violation of the attendance policy.
Violation of the Attendance Policy
When a student is in violation of the attendance policy the following action will be taken:
Due Process
Student Attendance During Appeals Process
Students who are in the process of appealing the decision regarding their violation of the attendance policy may be permitted to attend school until such time as the appeal process has been fully completed. Exception to this may be made if it is determined that the student's presence poses a continuing danger to persons or property.
Leaving During the School Day
When it becomes necessary that a student leave the school premises after having arrived at school, it is the student's responsibility to do the following:
Truancy
Truancy is defined as:
Truancy as defined above will be dealt with by the principal according to the discipline code and also will count toward maximum days students may miss per semester.
Make-Up Work Assignments
Research indicates that students learn most through practice and repetition. The amount of time spent on a task is directly related to the learning that takes place. For this reason, homework should be assigned nightly in all subjects where homework is appropriate.
Students who leave early for vacations, etc., will take the grade earned at the time of their departure, minus any work missed unless covered by the one-time exception as stated above.
Students who are confirmed truant, suspended or expelled from school will not be permitted to make up work for credit.
Students who have an excused absence from school will be permitted to make up their regular assignments on a day-to-day basis. Regular assignments are those normally due the next day or within the next few days. Advanced assignments are those which are assigned at least five (5) school days in advance. If a student is absent the period the advanced assignment is due, the assignment will be due at the time the student returns to school. It is clearly the student's responsibility to find out, from the teacher, what he or she missed when absent and make arrangements for turning work in to a teacher.
If a student has an excused absence and misses a major test, it may be made up on the day that the student returns to school, if the student so chooses, or the student may have additional time equal to the time he or she was excused absent from school to make up the test. Alternative forms of the test may be given. However, if a test date was designated by the teacher prior to the absence, and no preparatory work, class discussion or lecture material was missed by the student, he or she will be expected to take the test on the day of return. Short, unannounced "pop" tests of 15 points or less may not be made up if the student is absent. If a student is absent for the quarter or semester exam in a course, permission to make up the exam must be secured from the building principal. In this case, absences will be checked very carefully and a doctor's excuse may be required before the student may make up the exam.
Absences on Days of School Activities
In accordance with the rules and regulations of the Missouri State High School Activities Association and the policies of the school district, a student who is absent from school any part of the day of a school-sponsored activity, shall not be considered eligible to participate in the activity unless the absence is excused by the building principal, prior to the start of the activity. Absence on the day after a school-sponsored activity will result in discipline to be determined by the sponsor/coach of that activity in question.
Late to Class or School
Students who arrive late to school in the morning will be sent to class and given a tardy. All late arrivals must report directly to the principal's office for an admit slip.
STUDENT ABSENCES AND EXCUSES (Middle School)
Philosophy of Attendance
In accordance with the belief that regular and sustained attendance in school is essential for the fullest possible development of a student intellectual abilities, the attendance policy of the West County R-IV School District requires that a student be in attendance every day that school is in session, unless a situation arises which meets one of the six types of absences below.
The administration and Board of Education realizes that situations arise during a semester whereby it is necessary for a student to be absent themselves from school, however, these absences must be kept to a minimum number.
Absence Defined
A student is considered absent when it is determined that they are not in attendance in one or more of their assigned class periods. A record of the students' attendance is maintained on a class hour basis and is entered into the students' attendance record file.
Excused Absences
The following absences from school will be automatically waived from the attendance policy providing proper documentation is presented to the school:
In all cases concerning excused absences documentation on missed days must be presented to the office upon arrival.
Disciplinary Absences
Disciplinary absences will not count against the attendance policy unless the student has refused some other type of disciplinary action and requested out-of-school suspension (0SS). Students will not under any circumstances be allowed to make up work missed while serving their ass suspension or determined truant from school.
General Absences
A general absence is defined as any absence that does not fall in the category of excused absences and the parents/ guardians followed proper procedures in contacting the school concerning the student's absence. The student is allowed to make up missed work under this type of absence. This absence does, however, count toward the attendance policy in regards to absences.
Parents/Guardians are required to call in between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. on the day their child is out of school to confirm the absence. Parents/Guardians who do not have a phone or who leave for work early in the morning may send a note, provided a signature card is on file in the office. It is the responsibility of the parents/guardians to see that the signature card is completed. If a student brings a note and does not have a signature card or a parent/guardian does not call, it will be considered an unexcused absence. Signature cards are available at the time of registration or a parent can request one at the office.
It is important to note that both unexcused and general absences count toward the possible violation of the attendance policy by the student.
Three Day Absence
When a student reaches 21 school hours of unexcused/general absences (the equivalent of 3 school days) in a semester, a letter will be sent to the parents/guardians informing them of their child's status and what events will take place in the event that the child would continue to have attendance problems.
Five Day Absence
When documentation is such that is determined that a student has missed more than 35 hours (the equivalent of five school days) of general absences in a semester, a letter will be mailed to the parent/guardian informing them of that the student is in violation of the attendance policy. The student must be enrolled in the Attendance Support Group offered by the counselor. Students involved in the group must attend on a regular basis. In the group, students’ attendance will be closely monitored. At the end of each quarter, those students who have an average of at least 95% attendance may be released from the group. The group is intended to offer students an opportunity to improve attendance before being referred to outside agencies.
Severe Absence
After being referred to the counselor, , those students who continue to have excessive absences will be referred to the Children's Division (CD) of the Department of Social Services, Juvenile Office and/or Prosecuting Attorney's Office. If a student is absent from school for ten (10) consecutive days, the school counselor will follow these procedures:
Only in cases of severe illness or an emergency situation will assistance not be sought.
Excessive Absences in a Single Class Period
It is important that students attend each class period throughout the school day to ensure their success in that subject. Each time a student misses a class it takes away from his/her ability to obtain success in that class.
The following policy has been adopted to help ensure that a student's attendance will not be a detriment to his/her success in a particular class:
When a student is in violation of the attendance policy the following action will be taken:
Due Process
Leaving During the School Day
When it becomes necessary that a student leave the school premises after having arrived at school, it is the student’s responsibility to do the following:
Truancy is defined as:
Any student found to be truant will be punished-under the discipline policy. The student will not be allowed to make-up assignments, homework, or test if found to be truant.
Tardy
Tardies are disruptive to the learning process. Students will be recorded tardy to class if they fail to meet the guidelines established by their individual teachers. Upon receiving a fifth (5) tardy for the quarter, student will receive one (1) day ASD. Students who are tardy to class more than seven (7) times in a quarter is a chronic offender and administration will determine consequences.
Make-Up Work Assignments
Research indicates that students learn most through practice and repetition. The amount of time spent on a task is directly related to the learning that takes place. For this reason, homework should be assigned nightly in all subjects where homework is appropriate.
Students who leave early for vacations, etc., will take the grade earned at the time of their departure, minus any work missed unless covered by the one-time exception as stated above.
Students who are confirmed truant, suspended or expelled from school will not be permitted to make up work for credit.
Students who have an excused absence from school will be permitted to make up their regular assignments on a day-to-day basis. Regular assignments are those normally due the next day or within the next few days. Advanced assignments are those that are assigned at least five (5) school days in advance. If a student is absent the period the advanced assignment is due, the assignment will be due at the time the student returns to school. It is clearly the student's responsibility to find out, from the teacher, what he or she missed when absent and make arrangements for turning work in to a teacher. Parents of students missing more than one day and wishing to pick up their student’s assignments may do so after 1:00 p.m. in the office or visit:
www.westco.k12.mo.us/ms/homework.html
If a student has an excused absence and misses a major test, it will be made up on the day that the student returns to school, unless the student has missed more than one (1) sequential day, in this case the teacher will schedule the makeup exam. Alternative forms of the test may be given. However, if a test date was designated by the teacher prior to the absence, and no preparatory work, class discussion, or lecture material was missed by the student, he or she will be expected to take the test on the day of return.
Absences on Days of School Activities
In accordance with the rules, regulations and the policies of the West County R-IV School District, a student who is absent from school during any part of the day shall not be considered eligible to participate in the school-sponsored activity unless the absence is excused by the building principal, prior to the start of the activity. Absence on the day after a school-sponsored activity may result in discipline to be determined by the sponsor/coach of that activity in question.
Late to Class or School
Students who arrive late to school must report to the office and will be sent to class and given a tardy. All late arrivals must report directly to the principal's office for an admit slip.
STUDENT ABSENCES AND EXCUSES (Elementary)
Students at West County Elementary School are being prepared to become good citizens and to be an asset to their school, community and nation. Here at West County Elementary, an environment is provided to enable each student to experience success, thus improving their sense of security, self-concept and personal worth.
To have success in the educational process, good attendance is imperative. Students must be prompt and regular in attendance if satisfactory work is to be accomplished. Students are learning that regularity and promptness are two important characteristics of a successful life.
Each child's attendance is the responsibility of the student and parent/guardian. Students and parent(s)/guardian(s) are reminded of the Missouri Compulsory Attendance Law and are expected to comply. Keeping informed of the number of absences is the responsibility of the student and parent/guardian.
The principal’s office will provide intensive monitoring of attendance. Parents are expected to phone the school when their child is absent, if they do not, the school will phone the family. Phone contacts, letters, parent meetings, and home visits are seen as preventative measures to maintain good attendance among all students.
A student who becomes ill at school should inform the teacher or nurse. If necessary, parent(s)/guardian(s) will be contacted. For this reason, please be sure an emergency telephone number is on file in the office.
Absences/Assignments
It is a child's responsibility to ask for all assignments he or she might have missed due to absence from school. Any time a student knows in advance of an upcoming absence either for one (1) or more days, assignments should be requested in advance.
Excused Absences
Excused absence basically means a child is absent from school for a legitimate reason and the school is notified. The following absences from school will be automatically waived from the attendance policy providing proper documentation is presented to the school:
The only excused absence that is not counted against a child toward his or her perfect attendance record is a school-related activity.
Excessive Absences
When a child misses a number of undocumented absences the Counselor and the Principal’s Office will make contact with the parent/guardian reminding them of the Missouri Compulsory Law (MO.R.S.167.031). Conferences may be requested and possible solutions offered to assist with attendance barriers. Missouri State Law requires ALL students to be in attendance a minimum of 90% of the time.
The following steps will be taken when the school has no documentation of absences:
Excessive absences will be reported to the proper authorities.
Attendance Incentives/Tardies
West County Elementary is trying to teach students the importance of good attendance. Punctuality, dependability, and promptness are all traits that employers seek in employees, and are necessary for good citizenship.
To assist parent(s)/guardian(s) in monitoring their child's attendance, attendance letters will be sent home. These letters will help to keep the lines of communication open between the principal's office and the home.
The superintendent, principal, and staff of West County Elementary will provide incentives for students who regularly attend school and arrive to school on time. Tardies can be disruptive to the learning process. Students will be recorded tardy after 8:20 a.m. Multiple tardies can disqualify the student from any incentive. The school will have quarterly, semester and yearly incentive programs for perfect attendance.